Losing Mohammad Asif is truly tragic

Perhaps I can understand the Shoaib Akhtar who was caught red-handed with his hand in the steroid jar, but I still cannot reconcile myself with Mohammad Asif doping. I don't see how he could possibly gain from this. I read the PCB media release regarding the tribunals findings. Asif just seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Although I may not agree with it, I believe his appeal might be accepted and that his ban might be lifted. Though its not going to look good through international eyes, the PCB might be inclined to listen to his side of the story with more intent. I sincerely hope they don't lift the ban. No one who cheats using chemicals should be on the team. But this is Pakistani cricket...stranger things have happened.

I lot of the focus throughout this doping scandal has been on Shoaib Akhtar, but the true tragedy is Mohammad Asif. He is only 23, so he will definitely make a comeback after a year...but its terrible that he had to do something like this. After reading his statement and his defense, it is clear why the tribunal went a little easier on Asif.

The case of Mohammad Asif is on a somewhat different footing with regard to the level of his responsibility. Mohammad Asif became a regular member of the Pakistan Team in March 2006. He was not tested previously. It is not shown that he was ever present at any lecture or session with regard to the Anti Doping Regulations or list of prohibited substances. There is some doubt whether he was even handed over the WADA 2006 list of prohibited substances and WADA Athlete Guide prior to the departure of the team for the England tour in August 2006. He was amongst those who gave his sample on the very first date of sample taking viz 25.9.2006 and did not try and delay the sample taking. He said in response to a question put by us that he had been using Promax but had stopped as soon as the Team Physiotherapist told him to do so. Mr. Darryn Lifson the Team Physiotherapist has confirmed before us that Mohammad Asif stopped the use of Promax-50 (purchased by him locally) as soon as he was told to do so. We have ourselves noticed during the hearings that Mohammad Asif's command of English is limited and we are clear that he could not possibly have understood the WADA publications without someone helping him to understand their contents. No such guidance or counseling was provided. He has stated before us that he is unable to explain why his urine sample has tested positive for the nandrolone metabolite. 38.

I am not sure if he knew or not, whether he was taking steroids. But one can feel a lot sorrier for him than Akhtar, mainly because he seems like a lamb compared to his senior bowling partner. Since its the same drug they both got caught for, one can assume they got it from the same source and both knew about it. Anyway that is all speculation. There were also rumors about Asif and Cannabis, which I wrote about earlier. If that is to be believed (which it really shouldn't), then these two are pot buddies.

Back to the tragedy....Asif came into the fold of international cricket just this March. He had 261 wickets at 24.37 from just 65 first class matches. His strike rate of 40 brought in 15 five wicket hauls and 5 ten wicket hauls.

In international cricket, his 6 test matches brought him 30 wickets at 21.16. His strike rate improved to 38.63 and brought him 2 five wicket hauls and a single ten wicket haul.

Anyone who has seen him bowl is impressed. This kid can move the new ball like no one I have seen before, save McGrath. he has barely started his test career, but he has gotten some of the biggest guys out. Dravid, Laxman, Sangakarra....and the list goes. He came into focus with 10 wickets against England A as part of the Pakistan A team the tourists during the warm up games. That was barely a year ago. Since then he become Pakistan's strike opening bowler. Pakistan was handicapped without his services in the first 3 tests of the England tour which ended horribly in more ways than one for Pakistan.

I stand by the PCB in their attempts to clean up the acts of their players. However, they need to make greater efforts to make sure the players understand the rules. Pakistani players have limited understanding of international rules, customs and laws. It is the job of the administration to help out. Mohd. Asif should be punished and the reason why he got only a year and not 2, is because part of the blame should be on the hands of the PCB.

Nevertheless, his career is not over. He will be tarnished by the stain of drugs forever. Instead of appealing and proclaiming his innocence, he needs to take the backseat, and let the more flamboyant Akhtar take the 'limelight' during this scandal. He needs to disappear for this year, clean up his act, and let his incredible bowling do the talking when he returns. That is the only way he will be vindicated in the country's eyes.